U.S. patent application number 16/659248 was filed with the patent office on 2020-05-28 for intelligent patch panel.
This patent application is currently assigned to Go!Foton Holdings, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Go!Foton Holdings, Inc.. Invention is credited to David Zhi Chen, Edward M. Jack, Chi Kong Paul Ng, Kenichiro Takeuchi.
Application Number | 20200166718 16/659248 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70771446 |
Filed Date | 2020-05-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200166718 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takeuchi; Kenichiro ; et
al. |
May 28, 2020 |
INTELLIGENT PATCH PANEL
Abstract
An optical connection identification assembly includes first and
second connectors for conveying optical signals within and away
from the optical connection identification assembly, first and
second optical filters configured for conveying optical signals to
and from the respective first and second connectors and between
each other, and first and second photodiodes. The first photodiode
is configured for receiving optical signals from the first optical
filter to confirm the optical connection identification assembly is
receiving optical signals. The second photodiode is configured for
receiving optical signals from the second optical filter to confirm
the optical connection identification assembly is receiving optical
signals. The first and the second connectors are on opposite sides
of each of the first and the second optical filters and each of the
first and the second photodiodes. Multiple optical connection
identification assemblies are used in a system to prepare a
connectivity map of a fiber optic system.
Inventors: |
Takeuchi; Kenichiro; (North
Brunswick, NJ) ; Chen; David Zhi; (Dallas, TX)
; Ng; Chi Kong Paul; (Princeton, NJ) ; Jack;
Edward M.; (Ashby, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Go!Foton Holdings, Inc. |
Somerset |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Go!Foton Holdings, Inc.
Somerset
NJ
|
Family ID: |
70771446 |
Appl. No.: |
16/659248 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62772413 |
Nov 28, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/3897 20130101;
G02B 6/3895 20130101; G02B 6/02052 20130101; G02B 6/4286 20130101;
G02B 6/4452 20130101; G02B 6/3825 20130101; G02B 6/4204
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/38 20060101
G02B006/38; G02B 6/02 20060101 G02B006/02; G02B 6/42 20060101
G02B006/42 |
Claims
1-24. (canceled)
25. An intelligent optical fiber termination system comprising: an
enclosure; an optical termination assembly within the enclosure and
including (i) a first optical fiber connector, (ii) an optical
fiber extending through at least a portion of the first optical
fiber connector, (iii) an adapter into which the first optical
fiber connector is insertable, and a sensing mechanism selected
from the group consisting of (i) a first insertion sensing
mechanism configured for conveying first fiber insertion status
signals corresponding to a first fiber insertion status of the
first optical fiber connector into the adapter, (ii) a first fiber
signal conveyance sensing mechanism configured for conveying first
fiber conveyance status signals corresponding to a first fiber
conveyance status of input optical signals to or of output optical
signals from the first optical fiber, and (iii) a first end contact
sensing mechanism configured for conveying first end contact status
signals corresponding to a first end contact status of an end of
the first optical fiber connector with another object when the
first optical fiber connector is inserted into the adapter; a first
operational sensing mechanism configured for conveying first
operational status signals different than at least one signal-type
of the conveyed ones of the first fiber insertion status signals,
the first fiber conveyance status signals, and the first end
contact status signals and corresponding to a first operational
status, the first operational status corresponding to a first
operational status of the intelligent optical fiber termination
system; a first component at least partially within the enclosure;
and a central processing unit (CPU) configured for receiving a
plurality of CPU input signals respectively corresponding to each
of the conveyed ones of the first fiber insertion status signals,
the first fiber conveyance status signals, the first end contact
status signals, and the first operational status signals and
conveying a first directional signal to direct a change in state of
the first component based on the CPU input signals received by the
CPU.
26. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 25,
wherein the intelligent optical fiber termination system is
configured for receiving external input signals selected from the
group consisting essentially of external input radio signals,
external input electrical signals, external input optical signals,
and any combination thereof from an external source external to the
intelligent optical fiber termination system, and wherein the CPU
is configured to convey the first directional signal to the first
component in response to the external input signals.
27. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 25,
wherein the intelligent optical fiber termination system is
configured for conveying system output signals selected from the
group consisting of system output radio signals, system output
electrical signals, system output optical signals, and any
combination thereof to an external source external to the
intelligent optical fiber termination system, and wherein the
system output signals are directed by the CPU.
28. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 25,
wherein the first operational status signals are second fiber
insertion status signals different from the first fiber insertion
status signals and corresponding to a second fiber insertion status
of a second optical fiber connector insertable into the
adapter.
29. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 25,
wherein the first optical fiber connector includes a first housing
and a first ferrule translatable within the first housing, and
wherein the first end contact sensing mechanism conveys first end
contact status signals indicating contact of the end of the first
optical fiber connector with another object when the first optical
fiber connector is inserted into the adapter and the first ferrule
of the first optical fiber connector is in contact with a second
ferrule of a second optical fiber connector.
30. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 25,
wherein each of the conveyed ones of the first fiber insertion
status signals, the first fiber conveyance status signals, the
first end contact status signals, and the first operational status
signals are conveyed at one or more respective predetermined time
intervals.
31. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 25,
further comprising a memory storage system in communication with a
microprocessor of the CPU and configured for storing any one or any
combination of the first fiber insertion statuses, the first fiber
conveyance statuses, the first end contact statuses, and the first
operational statuses.
32. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 31,
wherein a first combination of at least two mechanisms selected
from the group consisting of the first insertion sensing mechanism,
the first fiber conveyance sensing mechanism, and the first end
contact sensing mechanism are conveying the respective first fiber
insertion status signals, first fiber conveyance status signals,
and first end contact status signals, and wherein the first
operational sensing mechanism is one of the mechanisms of the first
combination.
33. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 31,
wherein the memory storage system stores (i) a first fiber
insertion reference value for use in determining the first fiber
insertion status when the optical termination assembly includes the
first insertion sensing mechanism, (ii) a first fiber conveyance
reference value for use in determining the first fiber conveyance
status when the optical termination assembly includes the first
fiber conveyance sensing mechanism, (iii) a first end contact
reference value for use in determining the first end contact status
when the optical termination assembly includes the first end
contact sensing mechanism, and (iv) a first operational reference
value for use in determining the first operational status, the
intelligent optical fiber termination system further comprising a
logic controller in communication with the memory storage system,
the logic controller being part of or being separate from but in
communication with the CPU, wherein the logic controller is
configured for determining (i) a first relative value associated
with the first fiber insertion status and based on a comparison of
a determined first fiber insertion status value corresponding to
the first fiber insertion status signals to the first fiber
insertion reference value when the memory storage device stores the
first fiber insertion reference value, (ii) a second relative value
associated with the first fiber conveyance status and based on a
comparison of a determined first fiber conveyance status value
corresponding to the first fiber conveyance status signals to the
first fiber conveyance reference value when the memory storage
device stores the first fiber conveyance reference value, (iii) a
third relative value associated with the first end contact status
and based on a comparison of a determined first end contact status
value corresponding to the first end contact status signals to the
first end contact reference value when the memory storage device
stores the first end contact reference value, and (iv) a fourth
relative value associated with the first operational status and
based on a comparison of a determined first operational status
value corresponding to the first operational status signals to the
first operational reference value.
34. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 33,
wherein the first directional signal is based on at least one
relative value of the first, the second, the third, and the fourth
relative values determined by the logic controller, and wherein the
CPU is configured for conveying a second directional signal to the
first component or another component different from the first
component and at least partially within the enclosure based on at
least one different relative value of the first, the second, the
third, and the fourth relative values.
35. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 33,
wherein a combination of the CPU, the logic controller when
separated from the CPU, and the memory storage system are
configured to effect a change to at least one of the reference
values of the first insertion reference value, the first fiber
conveyance status value, the first end contact status value, and
the first operational value.
36. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 35,
wherein the combination of the CPU, the logic controller when
separated from the CPU, and the memory storage system are
configured to effect the change to the at least one of the
reference values of the first insertion reference value, the first
fiber conveyance status value, the first end contact status value,
and the first operational value based on the external input signals
received by the intelligent optical fiber termination system.
37. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 36,
wherein the intelligent optical fiber termination system is
configured to convey the system output signals to the external
source, and wherein the external input signals are based on the
system output signals to the external source.
38. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 36,
further comprising a transceiver in electrical communication with
the CPU and configured for communicating wirelessly with a cloud
network, wherein the transceiver is configured for receiving the
external input signals and the external source is remote from the
enclosure and within the cloud network.
39. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 38,
wherein the transceiver is further configured for conveying the
system output signals to the external source.
40. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 35,
wherein the memory storage system stores a plurality of (i) the
determined first fiber insertion status values when the memory
storage device stores the first fiber insertion reference value,
(ii) the determined first fiber conveyance status values when the
memory storage device stores the first fiber conveyance reference
value, (iii) the determined first end contact status values when
the memory storage device stores the first end contact reference
value, and (iv) the determined first operational status values, and
wherein the combination of the CPU, the logic controller when
separated from the CPU, and the memory storage system are
configured to effect the change to (i) the first fiber insertion
reference value when the optical termination assembly includes the
first insertion sensing mechanism based on an accumulated set or
the entirety of the plurality of the first fiber insertion status
values, (ii) the first fiber conveyance reference value when the
optical termination assembly includes the first fiber conveyance
sensing mechanism based on an accumulated set or the entirety of
the plurality of the first fiber conveyance status values, (iii)
the first end contact reference value when the optical termination
assembly includes the first end contact sensing mechanism based on
an accumulated set or the entirety of the plurality of the first
end contact status values, and (iv) the first operational reference
value based on an accumulated set or the entirety of the plurality
of the first operational status values.
41. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 40,
wherein the change effected to (i) the first fiber insertion
reference value is to ignore the first fiber insertion reference
value and set the first insertion sensing mechanism to a default
setting, (ii) the first fiber conveyance reference value is to
ignore the first fiber conveyance reference value and set the first
fiber conveyance sensing mechanism to a default setting, (iii) the
first end contact reference value is to ignore the first end
contact reference value and set the first end contact sensing
mechanism to a default setting, and (iv) the first operational
reference value is to ignore the first operational reference value
and set the first operational sensing mechanism to a default
setting.
42. An intelligent optical fiber termination network comprising:
the intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 31,
further comprising a transceiver in electrical communication with
the CPU; and a cloud network including the memory storage system
and being configured for communicating wirelessly with the
transceiver of the intelligent optical fiber termination
system.
43. The intelligent optical fiber termination network of claim 42,
wherein the intelligent optical fiber termination network is a wide
area network (WAN) comprising a remote site remote from the
intelligent optical fiber termination system.
44. An intelligent optical fiber termination network comprising:
the intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 33,
further comprising a transceiver in electrical communication with
the CPU; and a cloud network including the logic controller when
separated from the CPU, the logic controller being located at a
remote site remote from the intelligent optical fiber termination
system, the cloud network being configured for communicating
wirelessly with the transceiver of the intelligent optical fiber
termination system such that the transceiver receives the external
input signals conveyed from the logic controller.
45. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 25,
further comprising a transceiver in electrical communication with
the CPU and configured for communicating wirelessly with a cloud
network, wherein the first directional signal is provided by the
CPU to the first component based on a first transceiver signal from
the transceiver and a second directional signal is provided to the
first component or another component different from the first
component and at least partially within the enclosure based on a
second transceiver signal from the transceiver.
46. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 25,
wherein the operational sensing mechanism includes any one or any
combination of an environmental sensor, a position sensor, an
orientation sensor, a sensor detecting either one or both of the
opening and closure of a door of the enclosure, a microphone, an
accelerometer, a water presence sensor, and an enclosure presence
sensor.
47. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 46,
wherein the operational sensing mechanism is an environmental
sensor and is either one or both of a temperature sensor and a
humidity sensor.
48. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 46,
wherein the operational sensing mechanism is an environmental
sensor, and wherein the first component includes a heating device,
wherein the heating device is activated to heat at least a portion
of an interior of the enclosure when the environmental sensor
detects a temperature below a predetermined threshold.
49. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 46,
wherein the operational sensing mechanism is an environmental
sensor, and wherein the first component includes a cooling device,
wherein the cooling device is activated to cool at least a portion
of an interior of the enclosure when the environmental sensor
detects either one or both of a temperature above a predetermined
threshold and a humidity level above a predetermined threshold.
50. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 47,
wherein the cooling device includes a fan.
51. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 25,
wherein the first component or another component separate from the
first component is a sensory indication unit configured to indicate
a change in any one or any combination of (i) the first fiber
insertion status when the optical termination assembly includes the
first insertion sensing mechanism, (ii) the first fiber conveyance
status when the optical termination assembly includes the first
fiber conveyance sensing mechanism, (iii) the first end contact
status when the optical termination assembly includes the first end
contact sensing mechanism, and (iv) the first operational status,
the sensory indication unit providing any one or any combination of
a visual signal, an auditory signal, or a tactile signal.
52. The intelligent optical fiber termination system of claim 51,
wherein the sensory indication unit includes any one or any
combination of a light emitting diode (LED), an audio speaker, and
a piston-driven actuator assembly.
53. (canceled)
54. A method of controlling an optical fiber termination system
comprising: receiving, by a central processing unit, a first
electrical input signal corresponding to any one or any combination
of (i) first fiber insertion status signals corresponding to a
first fiber insertion status of a first optical fiber connector
into an adapter of an optical termination assembly at least
partially within an enclosure of the optical fiber termination
system, (ii) first fiber conveyance status signals corresponding to
a first fiber conveyance status of input optical signals to or of
output optical signals from the first optical fiber, (iii) first
end contact status signals corresponding to a first end contact
status of an end of the first optical fiber connector with another
object when the first optical fiber connector is inserted into the
adapter; and receiving, by the central processing unit, a second
electrical input signal corresponding to first operational status
signals different than the first fiber insertion status signals,
the first fiber conveyance status signals, and the first end
contact status signals and corresponding to a first operational
status of the optical fiber termination system; conveying, by the
central processing unit, a first directional signal to direct a
change in state of a first component at least partially within the
enclosure of the optical fiber termination system based on either
one or both of the first and the second electrical input signals
received by the central processing unit; and changing a physical
state of the first component in response to the first directional
signal.
55. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the filing
date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/772,413, filed
Nov. 28, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Optical fibers are optically connected to respective
opposing optical fibers to convey signals between the respective
connected fibers, which may occur in the operation of data storage
and transmission devices. To establish connections between
respective opposing optical fibers, connectors on ends of
respective opposing optical fibers are inserted into ports on
opposing ends of adapters.
[0003] Connections between optical fiber connectors and the
adapters are often made using a click-to-lock configuration, as in
the case of optical fiber "LC connectors" and "SC connectors." This
configuration prevents disconnection of connectors when they are
connected to a corresponding adapter, such as by pullout, and also
provides a tactile feedback to alert a user attaching connectors to
a corresponding adapter that a full connection in which unintended
disconnection has been prevented has been made.
[0004] Sometimes, incomplete connections are made between a
connector and an adapter, which may be undetected by users, such as
technicians installing or repairing optical fiber termination
systems, such as patch panels and associated optical fiber cables.
Additionally, fatigue or other stresses induced through use of the
connectors may weaken mechanical connections between connectors or
between a connector and an adapter causing connections to be broken
or inadequate. Moreover, damage to the optical fibers themselves
can disrupt optical signals or cause such signals to be broken.
Such incomplete or broken connections or disrupted signals have
caused reduced system performance or even complete system failure.
Identification of broken connections or signals can be cumbersome,
often requiring time-consuming inspection of multiple optical fiber
cables and sometimes even inspection of multiple optical fiber
termination assemblies.
[0005] Therefore, there exists a need for quickly identifying
broken optical fiber connections and signals.
SUMMARY
[0006] In accordance with an aspect, an optical connection
identification assembly may include first and second connectors, a
first optical filter, a second optical filter, a first photodiode,
and a second photodiode. The first and second connectors may be
configured for conveying optical signals within and away from the
optical connection identification assembly. The first optical
filter may be configured for conveying an optical signal to and
from the first connector. The second optical filter may be
configured for conveying an optical signal to and from the second
connector. The first and the second optical filters may be
configured for conveying optical signals between each other. The
first photodiode may be configured for receiving an optical signal
from the first optical filter to confirm the optical connection
identification assembly is receiving optical signals. The second
photodiode may be configured for receiving an optical signal from
the second optical filter to confirm the optical connection
identification assembly is receiving optical signals. The first and
the second connectors may be configured such that at least a
portion of optical signals conveyed to or from either one of the
first and the second connectors are conveyed to each of the first
and the second optical filters and to each of the first and the
second photodiodes.
[0007] In some arrangements, the first and the second connectors
may be on opposite sides of the combination of each of the first
and the second optical filters and each of the first and the second
photodiodes.
[0008] In some arrangements, the optical connection identification
assembly may be used for identifying the status of an optical
connection at an intermediate location between two terminals
configured for optical communication.
[0009] In some arrangements, the first photodiode may be adjacent
to the first optical filter such that light is conveyed between the
first photodiode and the first optical filter without any
interference, i.e., impediment. In some arrangements, the second
photodiode may be adjacent to the second optical filter such that
light is conveyed between the second photodiode and the second
optical filter without any interference.
[0010] In some arrangements, the first and the second optical
filters and the first and the second photodiodes may define a power
monitoring system.
[0011] In some arrangements, the optical connection identification
assembly may further include a first connector optical fiber
extending between the first connector and the first optical filter
and a second connector optical fiber extending between the second
connector and the second optical fiber. The first connector optical
fiber may be configured for conveying optical signals between the
first connector and the first optical filter. The second connector
optical fiber may be configured for conveying optical signals
between the second connector and the second optical filter.
[0012] In some arrangements, the optical connection identification
assembly may further include third and fourth connectors, a third
optical filter, a fourth optical filter, a third photodiode, and a
fourth photodiode. The third and the fourth connectors may be
configured for conveying optical signals within and away from the
optical connection identification assembly. The third optical
filter may be configured for conveying an optical signal to or from
the third connector. The fourth optical filter may be configured
for conveying an optical signal to or from the fourth connector.
The third and the fourth optical filters may be configured for
conveying optical signals between each other. The third photodiode
may be configured for receiving an optical signal from the third
optical filter. The fourth photodiode may be configured for
receiving an optical signal from the fourth optical filter. The
first, the second, the third, and the fourth optical filters and
the first, the second, the third, and the fourth photodiodes may be
attached to a base. The first and the third connectors may be on a
first side of the base and the second and the fourth connectors may
be on a second side of the base opposite the first side.
[0013] In some arrangements, the optical connection identification
assembly may further include a filter optical fiber extending
between the first and the second optical filters. The filter
optical fiber may be configured for conveying optical signals
between the first and the second optical filters.
[0014] In some arrangements, the optical connection identification
assembly may further include a signal generation unit remote from
the first and the second photodiodes. Either one or both of the
first photodiode and the second photodiode may convey an electrical
signal that when conveyed results in the signal generation unit
indicating an optical signal is conveyed from the one or both of
the first photodiode and the second photodiode conveying the
electrical signal.
[0015] In some arrangements, the optical connection identification
assembly may further include a first filter base, a second filter
base, and a power monitoring base. The first filter base may be
attached to and may support the first optical filter. The second
filter base may be attached to and may support the second optical
filter in which the second filter base may be spaced from the first
filter base. The power monitoring base may be attached to and may
support the first and the second filter bases.
[0016] In some such arrangements, the first filter base may be
attached to and may support the first photodiode, and the second
filter base may be attached to and may support the second
photodiode.
[0017] In some arrangements, the optical connection identification
assembly may further include a filter base and a power monitoring
base. The filter base may be attached to and may support each of
the first and the second optical filters. The power monitoring base
may be attached to and may support the filter base.
[0018] In some such arrangements, the filter base may be attached
to and may support the first and the second photodiodes.
[0019] In some arrangements, the optical connection identification
assembly may further include a first connector optical fiber and a
second connector optical fiber. The first connector optical fiber
may extend between the first connector and the first optical
filter. The second connector optical fiber may extend between the
second connector and the second optical filter. The first connector
optical fiber may be configured for conveying optical signals from
the first connector to the first optical filter such that portions
of the optical signals conveyed from the first connector are
reflected from the first optical filter and a remaining portion of
the optical signals conveyed from the first connector are received
by the first photodiode. The second connector optical fiber may be
configured for conveying optical signals from the second connector
to the second optical filter such that portions of the optical
signals conveyed from the second connector are reflected from the
second optical filter and remaining portions of the optical signals
conveyed from the second connector are received by the second
photodiode.
[0020] In some arrangements, a majority of the portions of the
optical signals conveyed from the first connector may be reflected
from the first optical filter. In some arrangements, a majority of
the portions of the optical signals conveyed from the second
connector may be reflected from the second optical filter.
[0021] In some arrangements, an end of the first connector optical
fiber may include a first facet defining a plane at an angle
transverse to a first longitudinal axis of the first connector
optical fiber such that light conveyed form the first connector
defining the optical signals conveyed from the first connector may
be deflected in a direction away from the first longitudinal axis,
the light conveyed from the first connector thereby intersecting
the first photodiode. In some arrangements, an end of the second
connector optical fiber may include a second facet defining a plane
at an angle transverse to a second longitudinal axis of the second
connector optical fiber such that light conveyed from the second
connector defining the optical signals conveyed from the second
connector may be deflected in a direction away from the second
longitudinal axis, the light conveyed from the second connector
thereby intersecting the second photodiode.
[0022] In some arrangements, the optical connection identification
assembly may further include an optical filter module, a first
connector optical fiber, and a second connector optical fiber. The
first optical filter and the second optical filter may be parts of
the optical filter module. The first connector optical fiber may
extend between the first connector and the optical filter module.
The second connector optical fiber may extend between the second
connector and the optical filter module. The first and the second
connection optical fibers may be configured for conveying portions
of optical signals through the optical filter module and between
the first connector and the second connector. The remaining
portions of the optical signals conveyed from the first connection
optical fiber may be received by the first photodiode or the second
photodiode and the remaining portions of the optical signals
conveyed from the second connection optical fiber may be received
by the other of the first and the second photodiode.
[0023] In some arrangements, a majority of the portions of the
optical signals conveyed from either one or both of the first and
the second connectors may be passed through the optical filter
module.
[0024] In some arrangements, the remaining portions of the optical
signals received by the first photodiode may be conveyed from the
first optical filter or the second optical filter and the remaining
portions of the optical signals received by the second photodiode
may be conveyed from the other of the first and the second optical
filters.
[0025] In some arrangements, the optical connection identification
assembly may further include a first filter optical fiber and a
second filter optical fiber. The first filter optical fiber may
extend between the optical filter module and the first photodiode.
The second filter optical fiber may extend between the optical
filter module and the second photodiode. The first and the second
filter optical fibers may be configured for conveying optical
signals from the optical filter module to the first and the second
photodiodes, respectively.
[0026] In some arrangements, the first and the second connectors
and the optical filter module may be aligned to define a linear
longitudinal axis that extends through each of the first and the
second connectors and the optical filter module.
[0027] In some arrangements, the optical fiber connection
identification assembly may further include either one or both of
(i) a first beam splitter and a third photodiode and (ii) a second
beam splitter and a light source. The first beam splitter may be
between the first connector and the first optical filter. The third
photodiode may be attached to a signal indicator. The first beam
splitter may be configured to convey optical signals conveyed from
the second beam splitter and the first connector to the third
photodiode. The first signal indicator may be configured for
indicating the conveyance of optical signals to the first optical
filter. The second beam splitter may be between the second
connector and the second optical filter. The light source may be
configured for emitting optical signals towards the second beam
splitter in response to a known electrical signal input. The second
beam splitter may be configured to convey the optical signals
emitted from the light source to the second connector and to the
first optical filter.
[0028] In some arrangements, the signal indicator may be a
light-emitting diode (LED).
[0029] In accordance with another aspect, an optical fiber
connection identification system may include a first optical
connection identification assembly, a second optical connection
identification assembly, and an intermediate optical fiber. The
first optical connection identification assembly may include first
and second connectors, a first optical filter, a second optical
filter, a first photodiode, and a second photodiode. The first and
the second connectors may be configured for conveying optical
signals within and away from the first optical connection
identification assembly. The first optical filter may be configured
for conveying an optical signal to and from the first connector.
The second optical filter may be configured for conveying an
optical signal to and from the second connector. The first and the
second optical filters may be configured for conveying optical
signals between each other. The first photodiode may be configured
for receiving an optical signal from the first optical filter. The
second photodiode may be configured for receiving an optical signal
from the second optical filter. The first and the second connectors
may be configured such that at least a portion of optical signals
conveyed to or from either one of the first and the second
connectors are conveyed to each of the first and the second optical
filters and to each of the first and the second photodiodes. The
second optical filter may convey modulated optical signals to the
second connector in response to a known electrical signal input.
The second optical connection identification assembly may include
third and fourth connectors, a third optical filter, a fourth
optical filter, a third photodiode, a fourth photodiode, and an
optical signal detection circuit. The third and the fourth
connectors may be configured for conveying optical signals within
and away from the second optical connection identification
assembly. The third optical filter may be configured for conveying
an optical signal to and from the third connector. The fourth
optical filter may be configured for conveying an optical signal to
and from the fourth connector. The third and the fourth optical
filters may be configured for conveying optical signals between
each other. The third photodiode may be configured for receiving an
optical signal from the third optical filter. The fourth photodiode
may be configured for receiving an optical signal from the fourth
optical filter. The optical signal detection circuit may be
configured for receiving the modulated optical signals from the
second connector to confirm optical power is being supplied from
the first optical connection identification assembly. The third and
the fourth connectors may be configured such that at least a
portion of optical signals conveyed to or from either one of the
third and the fourth connectors are conveyed to of each of the
third and the fourth optical filters and to each of the third and
the fourth photodiodes. The intermediate optical fiber may be
connected to and may extend between the first and the second
optical connection identification assemblies.
[0030] In some arrangements, the first and the second connectors
may be on opposite sides of the combination of each of the first
and the second optical filters and each of the first and the second
photodiodes. In some arrangements, the third and the fourth
connectors may be on opposite sides of the combination of each of
the third and the fourth optical filters and each of the third and
the fourth photodiodes.
[0031] In some arrangements, the known electrical signal input may
be generated remotely. In some such arrangements, the electrical
signal input may be generated by a signal generator.
[0032] In some arrangements, the optical signal conveyed from the
first connector may be a test signal. In some arrangements the
optical signal conveyed from the first connector may be a signal
existing prior to connection of the first and the second optical
connection identification assemblies.
[0033] In some arrangements, the first optical connection
identification assembly may further include a heat source
configured for heating the second optical filter to control the
modulation of the modulated optical signals conveyed from the
second connector in response to the known electrical signal input.
In some such arrangements, the electrical signal input may be
generated by a signal generator. In some such arrangements, the
signal generator may be in communication with the heat source via a
network, which may be a cloud-based network.
[0034] In some arrangements, the first optical connection
identification assembly may further include a vibratory actuator.
The vibratory actuator may be configured for vibrating the second
optical filter to control frequency or amplitude modulation of the
modulated optical signals in response to the known electrical
signal input. In some such arrangements, the electrical signal
input may be generated by a signal generator. In some such
arrangements, the signal generator may in communication with the
vibratory actuator via a network, which may be a cloud-based
network.
[0035] In some arrangements, optical signals conveyed from the
second optical filter may be received by the third photodiode via
the second connector, the third connector, and the intermediate
optical fiber.
[0036] In accordance with another aspect, an optical fiber
connection identification system may include a first optical
connection identification assembly, a second optical connection
identification assembly, and an intermediate optical fiber. The
first optical connection identification assembly may include first
and second connectors, a first optical filter, a second optical
filter, a first photodiode, a second photodiode, and a light
source. The first and second connectors may be configured for
conveying optical signals within and away from the first optical
connection identification assembly. The first optical filter may be
configured for conveying an optical signal to and from the first
connector. The second optical filter may be configured for
conveying an optical signal to and from the second connector. The
first and the second optical filters may be configured for
conveying optical signals between each other. The first photodiode
may be configured for receiving an optical signal from the first
optical filter. The second photodiode may be configured for
receiving an optical signal from the second optical filter. The
first and the second connectors may be configured such that at
least a portion of optical signals conveyed to or from either one
of the first and the second connectors are conveyed to each of the
first and the second optical filters and to each of the first and
the second photodiodes. The light source may be configured for
conveying optical signals through the second connector different
than the optical signals conveyed from the second optical filter.
The second optical connection identification assembly may include
third and fourth connectors, a third optical filter, a fourth
optical filter, a third photodiode, a fourth photodiode, and an
optical signal detection circuit. The third and fourth connectors
may be configured for conveying optical signals within and away
from the second optical connection identification assembly. The
third optical filter may be configured for conveying an optical
signal to and from the third connector. The fourth optical filter
maybe configured for conveying an optical signal to and from the
fourth connector. The third and the fourth optical filters may be
configured for conveying optical signals between each other. The
third photodiode may be configured for receiving an optical signal
from the third optical filter. The fourth photodiode may be
configured for receiving an optical signal from the fourth optical
filter. The optical signal detection circuit may be configured for
receiving the optical signals from the light source to confirm
optical connectivity between the first and the second optical
connection identification assemblies. The third and the fourth
connectors may be configured such that at least a portion of
optical signals conveyed to or from either one of the third and the
fourth connectors are conveyed to each of the third and the fourth
optical filters and to each of the third and the fourth
photodiodes. The intermediate optical fiber may be connected to and
may extend between the first and the second optical connection
identification assemblies.
[0037] In some arrangements, the first and the second connectors
may be on opposite sides of the combination of each of the first
and the second optical filters and each of the first and the second
photodiodes. In some arrangements, the third and the fourth
connectors may be on opposite sides of the combination of each of
the third and the fourth optical filters and each of the third and
the fourth photodiodes.
[0038] In some arrangements, the differing optical signals conveyed
through the second connector from the light source and from the
second optical filter may be conveyed through the second connector
simultaneously via wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM).
[0039] In some arrangements, optical signals conveyed from the
light source may be received by the third photodiode via the second
connector, the third connector, and the intermediate optical
fiber.
[0040] In some arrangements, the light source may be a
light-emitting diode (LED).
[0041] In accordance with another aspect, an optical fiber
connection identification system may include a first optical
connection identification assembly, a second optical connection
identification assembly, and an intermediate optical fiber. The
first optical connection identification assembly may include first
and second connectors, a first optical filter, a second optical
filter, a first photodiode, a second photodiode, a third
photodiode, a first beam splitter, and a light source. The first
and second connectors may be configured for conveying optical
signals within and away from the first optical connection
identification assembly. The first optical filter may be configured
for conveying an optical signal to and from the first connector.
The second optical filter may be configured for conveying an
optical signal to and from the second connector. The first and the
second optical filters may be configured for conveying optical
signals between each other. The first photodiode may be configured
for receiving an optical signal from the first optical filter. The
second photodiode may be configured for receiving an optical signal
from the second optical filter. The first and the second connectors
may be configured such that at least a portion of optical signals
conveyed to or from either one of the first and the second
connectors are conveyed to each of the first and the second optical
filters and to each of the first and the second photodiodes. The
third photodiode may be configured for receiving a known electrical
signal input. The first beam splitter may be between the second
optical filter and the second connector. The light source may be
driven, i.e., controlled, by the third photodiode and may be
configured for emitting optical signals towards the first beam
splitter in response to the known electrical signal input. The
first beam splitter may be configured for conveying the optical
signals emitted from the light source to the second connector and
to the first optical filter. The second optical connection
identification assembly may include third and fourth connectors, a
third optical filter, a fourth optical filter, a fourth photodiode,
a fifth photodiode, a sixth photodiode, a second beam splitter, and
a signal indicator. The third and the fourth connectors configured
for conveying optical signals within and away from the second
optical connection identification assembly. The third optical
filter may be configured for conveying an optical signal to and
from the third connector. The fourth optical filter may be
configured for conveying an optical signal to and from the fourth
connector. The third and the fourth optical filters may be
configured for conveying optical signals between each other. The
fourth photodiode may be configured for receiving an optical signal
from the third optical filter. The fifth photodiode may be
configured for receiving an optical signal from the fourth optical
filter. The third and the fourth connectors may be configured such
that at least a portion of optical signals conveyed to or from
either one of the third and the fourth connectors are conveyed to
each of the third and the fourth optical filters and to each of the
fourth and the fifth photodiodes. The sixth photodiode may be
configured for receiving a portion of optical signals. The second
beam splitter may be between the third optical filter and the third
connector. The second beam splitter may be configured for conveying
optical signals conveyed from the third connector to the sixth
photodiode. The signal indicator may be electrically connected to
the sixth photodiode and may be configured for indicating the
conveyance of optical signals from the first optical connection
identification assembly. The intermediate optical fiber may be
connected to and may extend between the first and the second
optical connection identification assemblies.
[0042] In some arrangements, the first and the second connectors
may be on opposite sides of the combination of each of the first
and the second optical filters and each of the first and the second
photodiodes. In some arrangements, the third and the fourth
connectors may be on opposite sides of the combination of each of
the third and the fourth optical filters and each of the third and
the fourth photodiodes.
[0043] In accordance with another aspect, an intelligent optical
fiber termination system may include an enclosure, an optical
termination assembly within the enclosure, a first operational
sensing mechanism, a first component at least partially within the
enclosure, and a central processing unit (CPU). The optical
termination assembly may include (i) a first optical fiber
connector, (ii) an optical fiber extending through at least a
portion of the first optical fiber connector, (iii) an adapter into
which the first optical fiber connector is insertable, and a
sensing mechanism. The sensing mechanism may be any one or any
combination of (i) first insertion sensing mechanism configured for
conveying first fiber insertion status signals corresponding to a
first fiber insertion status of the first optical fiber connector
into the adapter, (ii) a first fiber signal conveyance sensing
mechanism configured for conveying first fiber conveyance status
signals corresponding to a first fiber conveyance status of input
optical signals to or of output optical signals from the first
optical fiber, and (iii) a first end contact sensing mechanism
configured for conveying first end contact status signals
corresponding to a first end contact status of an end of the first
optical fiber connector with another object when the first optical
fiber connector is inserted into the adapter. The first operational
sensing mechanism may be configured for conveying first operational
status signals different than at least one signal-type of the
conveyed ones of the first fiber insertion status signals, the
first fiber conveyance status signals, and the first end contact
status signals and may correspond to a first operational status of
the intelligent optical fiber termination system. The CPU may be
configured for receiving a plurality of CPU input signals,
respectively, corresponding to each of the conveyed ones of the
first fiber insertion status signals, the first fiber conveyance
status signals, the first end contact status signals, and the first
operational status signals. The CPU may convey a first directional
signal to direct a change in state of the first component based on
the CPU input signals received by the CPU.
[0044] In some arrangements, the optical termination assembly may
include a patch panel or a patch panel assembly.
[0045] In some arrangements, the first fiber insertion status
signals, the first end contact status signals, the first
operational status signals, and the CPU input signals may be
electrical signals, e.g., current. In some arrangements, the first
fiber conveyance status signals may be optical signals.
[0046] In some arrangements, the first fiber conveyance sensing
mechanism may be an optical signal power monitoring device. In some
such arrangements, the optical signal power monitoring device may
be a bi-directional optical signal power monitoring device
configured for providing an indication of the conveyance of the
input optical signals to or of the output optical signals from the
first optical fiber.
[0047] In some arrangements, the intelligent optical fiber
termination system may be configured for receiving external input
signals which may include external input radio signals, external
input electrical signals, external input optical signals, and any
combination of such signals from an external source external to the
intelligent optical fiber termination system. In such arrangements,
the CPU may be configured to convey the first directional signal to
the first component in response to the external input signals. In
some arrangements, the external input signals may be external input
radio signals and the intelligent optical fiber termination system
further may include a receiver or transceiver that may be
configured for electrical communication with the CPU and may be
further configured for receiving the external input radio
signals.
[0048] In some arrangements, the intelligent optical fiber
termination system may be configured for conveying system output
signals which may be system output radio signals, system output
electrical signals, system output optical signals, and any
combination of such signals to an external source external to the
intelligent optical fiber termination system. In such arrangements,
the system output signals may be directed by the CPU.
[0049] In some arrangements, system output signals may be system
output radio signals and the intelligent optical fiber termination
system further may include a transmitter or transceiver that may be
configured for electrical communication with the CPU and further
configured for conveying the system output radio signals.
[0050] In some arrangements, the first operational status signals
may be second fiber insertion status signals different from the
first fiber insertion status signals and corresponding to a second
fiber insertion status of a second optical fiber connector
insertable into the adapter. In such arrangements, the intelligent
optical fiber termination system may further include the second
optical fiber connector insertable into the adapter.
[0051] In some arrangements, the first optical fiber connector may
include a first housing and a first ferrule translatable within the
first housing. In such arrangements, the first end contact sensing
mechanism may convey first end contact status signals indicating
contact of the end of the first optical fiber connector with
another object when the first optical fiber connector is inserted
into the adapter and the first ferrule of the first optical fiber
connector is in contact with a second ferrule of a second optical
fiber connector.
[0052] In some arrangements, each of the conveyed ones of the first
fiber insertion status signals, the first fiber conveyance status
signals, the first end contact status signals, and the first
operational status signals may be conveyed at one or more
respective predetermined time intervals.
[0053] In some arrangements, the intelligent optical fiber
termination system may further include a memory storage system in
communication with a microprocessor of the CPU and configured for
storing any one or any combination of the first fiber insertion
statuses, the first fiber conveyance statuses, the first end
contact statuses, and the first operational statuses. In some such
arrangements, the memory storage system may include a memory
storage device in electrical communication with the microprocessor
of the CPU. In some such arrangements, the memory storage system
may be part of the CPU.
[0054] In some arrangements, the stored ones of the first fiber
insertion statuses, the first fiber conveyance statuses, the first
end contact statuses, and the first operational statuses may be
stored by the memory storage system along with respective
corresponding times at which or time intervals over which the
plurality of the CPU input signals are received by the CPU.
[0055] In some arrangements, a first combination of at least two
mechanisms of any one or any combination of the first insertion
sensing mechanism, the first fiber conveyance sensing mechanism,
and the first end contact sensing mechanism may be conveying the
respective first fiber insertion status signals, first fiber
conveyance status signals, and first end contact status signals. In
such arrangements, the first operational sensing mechanism may be
one of the mechanisms of the first combination.
[0056] In some arrangements, the memory storage system may store
(i) a first fiber insertion reference value for use in determining
the first fiber insertion status when the optical termination
assembly includes the first insertion sensing mechanism, (ii) a
first fiber conveyance reference value for use in determining the
first fiber conveyance status when the optical termination assembly
includes the first fiber conveyance sensing mechanism, (iii) a
first end contact reference value for use in determining the first
end contact status when the optical termination assembly includes
the first end contact sensing mechanism, and (iv) a first
operational reference value for use in determining the first
operational status. In such arrangements, the intelligent optical
fiber termination system further may include a logic controller in
communication with the memory storage system. The logic controller
may be part of or may be separate from but in communication with
the CPU. The logic controller may be configured for determining (i)
a first relative value associated with the first fiber insertion
status and based on a comparison of a determined first fiber
insertion status value corresponding to the first fiber insertion
status signals to the first fiber insertion reference value when
the memory storage device stores the first fiber insertion
reference value, (ii) a second relative value associated with the
first fiber conveyance status and based on a comparison of a
determined first fiber conveyance status value corresponding to the
first fiber conveyance status signals to the first fiber conveyance
reference value when the memory storage device stores the first
fiber conveyance reference value, (iii) a third relative value
associated with the first end contact status and based on a
comparison of a determined first end contact status value
corresponding to the first end contact status signals to the first
end contact reference value when the memory storage device stores
the first end contact reference value, and (iv) a fourth relative
value associated with the first operational status and based on a
comparison of a determined first operational status value
corresponding to the first operational status signals to the first
operational reference value.
[0057] In some such arrangements, the logic controller may be
remote from the enclosure when the logic controller is separate
from the CPU.
[0058] In some arrangements, the first directional signal may be
based on at least one relative value of the first, the second, the
third, and the fourth relative values determined by the logic
controller, and wherein the CPU is configured for conveying a
second directional signal to the first component or another
component different from the first component and at least partially
within the enclosure based on at least one different relative value
of the first, the second, the third, and the fourth relative
values.
[0059] In some arrangements, a combination of the CPU, the logic
controller when separated from the CPU, and the memory storage
system may be configured to effect a change to at least one of the
reference values of the first insertion reference value, the first
fiber conveyance status value, the first end contact status value,
and the first operational value.
[0060] In some arrangements, the combination of the CPU, the logic
controller when separated from the CPU, and the memory storage
system are configured to effect the change to the at least one of
the reference values of the first insertion reference value, the
first fiber conveyance status value, the first end contact status
value, and the first operational value based on the external input
signals received by the intelligent optical fiber termination
system when such external input signals are so received. In some
such arrangements, the intelligent optical fiber termination system
may be configured to convey the system output signals to the
external source, and wherein the external input signals are based
on the system output signals to the external source. In some
arrangements, the intelligent optical fiber termination system may
include the external source. In such arrangements, the external
source may be a central office of an internet service provider
(ISP) in which the central office may manipulate the system output
signals to determine the external input signals and convey the
external input signals to the intelligent optical fiber termination
system.
[0061] In some arrangements, the intelligent optical fiber
termination system may further include a transceiver in electrical
communication with the CPU. In such arrangements, the transceiver
may be configured for communicating wirelessly with a cloud network
and, as such, for receiving the external input signals. In such
arrangements, the external source may be remote from the enclosure
and may be within the cloud network.
[0062] In some such arrangements, the transceiver may be further
configured for conveying the system output signals to the external
source.
[0063] In some arrangements, the memory storage system may store a
plurality of (i) the determined first fiber insertion status values
when the memory storage device stores the first fiber insertion
reference value, (ii) the determined first fiber conveyance status
values when the memory storage device stores the first fiber
conveyance reference value, (iii) the determined first end contact
status values when the memory storage device stores the first end
contact reference value, and (iv) the determined first operational
status values. In such arrangements, the combination of the CPU,
the logic controller when separated from the CPU, and the memory
storage system may be configured to effect the change to (i) the
first fiber insertion reference value when the optical termination
assembly includes the first insertion sensing mechanism based on an
accumulated set or the entirety of the plurality of the first fiber
insertion status values, (ii) the first fiber conveyance reference
value when the optical termination assembly includes the first
fiber conveyance sensing mechanism based on an accumulated set or
the entirety of the plurality of the first fiber conveyance status
values, (iii) the first end contact reference value when the
optical termination assembly includes the first end contact sensing
mechanism based on an accumulated set or the entirety of the
plurality of the first end contact status values, and (iv) the
first operational reference value based on an accumulated set or
the entirety of the plurality of the first operational status
values.
[0064] In some arrangements, the change effected to (i) the first
fiber insertion reference value is to ignore the first fiber
insertion reference value and set the first insertion sensing
mechanism to a default setting, (ii) the first fiber conveyance
reference value is to ignore the first fiber conveyance reference
value and set the first fiber conveyance sensing mechanism to a
default setting, (iii) the first end contact reference value is to
ignore the first end contact reference value and set the first end
contact sensing mechanism to a default setting, and (iv) the first
operational reference value is to ignore the first operational
reference value and set the first operational sensing mechanism to
a default setting.
[0065] In some arrangements, the intelligent optical fiber
termination system may further include a transceiver in electrical
communication with the CPU and configured for communicating
wirelessly with a cloud network. In such arrangements, the first
directional signal may be provided by the CPU to the first
component based on a first transceiver signal from the transceiver
and a second directional signal may be provided to the first
component or another component different from the first component
and at least partially within the enclosure based on a second
transceiver signal from the transceiver.
[0066] In some arrangements, the operational sensing mechanism may
include any one or any combination of an environmental sensor, a
position sensor, an orientation sensor, a door closure sensor, a
microphone, an accelerometer, a water presence sensor, and an
enclosure presence sensor.
[0067] In some arrangements, the operational sensing mechanism may
be an environmental sensor. Such environmental sensor may be a
temperature sensor or a humidity sensor. In some arrangements in
which the operational sensing mechanism is an environmental sensor,
the first component may include a heating device that may be
activated to heat at least a portion of an interior of the
enclosure when the environmental sensor detects a temperature below
a predetermined threshold. In some arrangements in which the
operational sensing mechanism is an environmental sensor, the first
component may include a cooling device that may be activated to
cool at least a portion of an interior of the enclosure when the
environmental sensor detects either one or both of a temperature
above a predetermined threshold and a humidity level above a
predetermined threshold. In some such arrangements, the cooling
device may include a fan.
[0068] In some arrangements, the first component or another
component separate from the first component may be a sensory
indication unit configured to indicate a change in any one or any
combination of (i) the first fiber insertion status when the
optical termination assembly includes the first insertion sensing
mechanism, (ii) the first fiber conveyance status when the optical
termination assembly includes the first fiber conveyance sensing
mechanism, (iii) the first end contact status when the optical
termination assembly includes the first end contact sensing
mechanism, and (iv) the first operational status. In such
arrangements, the sensory indication unit may provide any one or
any combination of a visual signal, an auditory signal, or a
tactile signal.
[0069] In some arrangements, the sensory indication unit may
include any one or any combination of a light emitting diode (LED),
an audio speaker, and a piston-driven actuator assembly.
[0070] In some arrangements, the optical termination assembly may
include the optical fiber connection identification assembly as
described with respect to certain aspects and arrangements
discussed above.
[0071] In accordance with another aspect, an intelligent optical
fiber termination network may include the intelligent optical fiber
termination system of aspects and arrangements above that include
the CPU. The optical fiber termination network may further include
a transceiver and a cloud network. The transceiver may be in
electrical communication with the CPU. The cloud network may
include the memory storage system and may be configured for
communicating wirelessly with the transceiver of the intelligent
optical fiber termination system.
[0072] In some arrangements, the intelligent optical fiber
termination network may be a wide area network (WAN) comprising a
remote site remote from the intelligent optical fiber termination
system.
[0073] In accordance with another aspect, an intelligent optical
fiber termination network may include the intelligent optical fiber
termination system of aspects and arrangements above that include
the CPU and are configured for receiving the external input
signals. The intelligent optical fiber termination system may
further include a transceiver and a cloud network. The transceiver
may be in electrical communication with the CPU. The cloud network
may include the logic controller when the logic controller is
separated from the CPU in which the logic controller may be located
at a remote site remote from the intelligent optical fiber
termination system. In such arrangements, the cloud network may be
configured for communicating wirelessly with the transceiver of the
intelligent optical fiber termination system such that the
transceiver receives the external input signals conveyed from the
logic controller.
[0074] In accordance with another aspect, an optical fiber
termination system may be controlled by a process. In this process,
a first electrical input signal corresponding to any one or any
combination of (i) first fiber insertion status signals
corresponding to a first fiber insertion status of a first optical
fiber connector into an adapter of an optical termination assembly
at least partially within an enclosure of the optical fiber
termination system, (ii) first fiber conveyance status signals
corresponding to a first fiber conveyance status of input optical
signals to or of output optical signals from the first optical
fiber, (iii) first end contact status signals corresponding to a
first end contact status of an end of the first optical fiber
connector with another object when the first optical fiber
connector is inserted into the adapter may be received by a central
processing unit (CPU). A second electrical input signal
corresponding to first operational status signals different than
the first fiber insertion status signals, the first fiber
conveyance status signals, and the first end contact status signals
and corresponding to a first operational status of the optical
fiber termination system may be received by the CPU. In such
arrangements, a first directional signal may be conveyed by the CPU
to direct a change in state of a first component at least partially
within the enclosure of the optical fiber termination system based
on either one or both of the first and the second electrical input
signals received by the central processing unit. In such
arrangements, a physical state of the first component may be
changed in response to the first directional signal.
[0075] In accordance with another aspect, a connectivity map of a
fiber optic system may be prepared by a process. In this process,
opposing ends of a first fiber optic cable may be connected to an
existing fiber optic network and to a first port of a first optical
connection identification assembly, respectively, to register the
first optical connection identification assembly to the fiber optic
network. In this process, an end of a second fiber optic cable may
be connected to a second port of the first optical connection
identification assembly opposite the first port. In this process,
information relating to the second fiber optic cable may be
associated with information relating to the second port of the
first optical connection identification assembly. In this process,
information relating to a plurality of optical identification
assemblies including the first optical connection identification
assembly may be analyzed to determine cable connectivity between
ports of the plurality of optical identification assemblies. In
this process, a cable connectivity map may be created or updated,
as the case may be, based on the determined cable connectivity
between the ports of the plurality of optical identification
assemblies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0076] By way of description only, embodiments of the present
disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying
figures, in which:
[0077] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an optical connection
identification assembly in accordance with an embodiment;
[0078] FIG. 1B is a schematic of a portion of the optical
connection identification assembly of FIG. 1A within an optical
connection identification system in accordance with another
embodiment;
[0079] FIG. 2 is a schematic of an optical connection
identification system in accordance with another embodiment;
[0080] FIGS. 3-5 are schematics of optical connection
identification assemblies in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0081] FIG. 6A is a schematic of an optical connection
identification system in accordance with an embodiment;
[0082] FIG. 6B is a schematic of a power monitoring section of the
optical connection identification system of FIG. 6A;
[0083] FIGS. 6C and 6D are schematics of modules of the power
monitoring section of FIG. 6B;
[0084] FIG. 7 is a schematic of a module for a power monitoring
section in accordance with another embodiment;
[0085] FIG. 8A is a schematic of an optical connection
identification system in accordance with an embodiment;
[0086] FIG. 8B is a schematic of a power monitoring section of the
optical connection identification system of FIG. 8A;
[0087] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram for an optical connection
identification system connectivity and connectivity monitoring
process in accordance with an embodiment;
[0088] FIG. 10 is an optical connection identification system for
use in the process shown in FIG. 9;
[0089] FIGS. 11 and 12 are plan views of an intelligent optical
fiber termination system in accordance with another embodiment;
[0090] FIG. 13A-15 are cross-sectional views of a connector
assemblies for use in the intelligent optical fiber termination
system of FIG. 11;
[0091] FIGS. 16A and 16B are perspective views of a sensory
indication unit of the intelligent optical fiber termination system
of FIG. 11;
[0092] FIGS. 17 and 18 are schematics of an intelligent optical
fiber termination system and a cloud network in accordance with
another embodiment; and
[0093] FIG. 19 is a schematic of an intelligent optical fiber
termination system in accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0094] As used herein, "optical signals" are ones that are created
by the transmission of light beams. Such signals may be formed by
modulating the intensity of light beams from a light source or by
modulating the frequency of the transmission of light beams from a
light source.
[0095] Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, optical connection
identification system 100, which in the example shown is in the
form of a patch panel, provides for optical connections and for
signals that such connections have been made. As shown, system 100
generally includes a plurality of first connectors 110 defining
ends of fiber optic cables, power monitoring subassembly 120, and a
plurality of second connectors 150 opposite respective ones of the
plurality of first connectors 110 and also defining ends of fiber
optic cables. Each of the plurality of first connectors 110 and
second connectors 150 may be inserted into adapters 115 or may be
integral with the adapters such that the connectors are inseparable
from the adapters. As shown, opposing connectors 105 may be
inserted into adapters 115 opposite respective first connectors 110
and, likewise, opposing connectors 106 may be inserted into
adapters 115 opposite respective second connectors 150 such that
the opposing connectors and the respective first and second
connectors may be in optical communication with each other via
power monitoring subassembly 120. In some arrangements, a connector
engagement sensing mechanism, such as those shown and described in
U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2017/0003459 A1 and
2018/0136410 A1, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein,
may be attached to or otherwise used in conjunction with first
connectors 110, second connectors 150, opposing connectors 105,
106, and adapters 115.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 1B, power monitoring subassembly 120
generally includes a plurality of power monitoring sections 122 and
microcontroller 140. Microcontroller 140 is electrically connected
to first and second connectors 110, 150 or adapters 115 such that
the microcontroller may monitor whether connector engagement
sensors associated with any one of the first connectors, the second
connectors, and the adapters are powered or unpowered for use in
determining whether optical fiber connections have been made at the
adapters of optical connection identification system 100. As shown,
microcontroller 140 may be in communication with remote computer
terminal 145 via network 146, such as but not limited to a cloud
network. Each power monitoring section 122 in conjunction with a
set of opposing first and second connectors 110, 150 may define a
separate channel. As in the example shown, power monitoring
sections 122 may provide optical signal tapping detection, which,
as in the examples described herein, may be signal direction
sensitive.
[0097] Referring now to FIG. 2, optical connection identification
system 200 includes first optical connection identification
assembly 201 and second optical connection identification assembly
202, which may be substantially in the form of and function in
substantially the same manner as optical connection identification
system 100, optically connected by intermediate optical fiber 203.
In this example, optical signals may be conveyed from the first
optical connection assembly 201 to the second optical connection
identification assembly 202 along the intermediate optical fiber
203, and vice versa, may be conveyed from the second optical
connection assembly 202 to the first optical connection
identification assembly 201 along the intermediate optical fiber
203. As shown, first optical connection identification assembly 201
includes a single power monitoring section 222A optically connected
to a set of first and second connectors 110, 150, adapters 115, and
opposing connectors 105, 106 and, likewise, second optical
connection identification assembly 202 includes a single power
monitoring system 222B optically connected to a set of first and
second connectors 110, 150, adapters 115, and opposing connectors
105, 106. As shown, intermediate optical fiber 203 is attached on
its ends to opposing connector 106 of first optical identification
assembly 201 and opposing connector 105 of second optical
identification assembly 202.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 2, power monitoring section 222A of optical
connection identification assembly 201 includes first base 223A,
first optical filter 224A attached to the first base, and first
photodiode 226A attached to the first base in the form of a first
module as well as second base 223B, second optical filter assembly
224B attached to the second base, and second photodiode 226B
attached to the second base in the form of a second module. As used
herein, the term "base" refers to a card or board, a cured bonding
element for attaching optical or optoelectronic components
together, or another discrete packaging element for attaching
optical or optoelectronic components together. First optical fiber
112A extends between first connector 110 and first optical filter
224A such that optical signals may be conveyed along the fiber
between the first connector and the first optical filter. Second
optical fiber 112B extends between second connector 150 and second
optical filter assembly 224B such that optical signals may be
conveyed along the fiber between the second connector and the
second optical filter assembly. In some arrangements, ends of each
of first and second optical fiber 112A, 112B may include respective
facets defining respective planes at angles transverse to
longitudinal axes of the optical fibers, which may be but are not
limited to being angles of approximately 8 degrees, such that light
conveyed from the optical fibers is deflected at a slight angle to
the ends of the respective optical fibers. Third optical fiber 112C
extends between first optical filter 224A and second optical filter
assembly 224B such that optical signals may be conveyed along the
fiber between the first optical filter and the second optical
filter assembly. Electrical leads extending from first and second
photodiodes 226A, 226B may be in electrical communication with a
central processing unit (CPU), such as but not limited to
microcontroller 140.
[0099] In the example shown, first optical filter 224A is
configured such that portions of optical signals from first optical
fiber 112A pass through the first optical filter to first
photodiode 226A and remaining portions of such optical signals are
reflected to second optical filter assembly 224B. Second optical
filter assembly 224B is configured such that portions of optical
signals from second optical fiber 112B pass through the filter,
which may be but is not limited to being a tap filter, of second
optical filter assembly to second photodiode 226B and remaining
portions of such optical signals are reflected to second connector
150 from which such signals are conveyed along intermediate optical
fiber 203 to second optical identification assembly 202.
[0100] In one example as shown in FIG. 2, second optical filter
assembly 224B may be manipulated, such as by but not limited to
being by altering properties or changing the position, e.g., angle,
of a filter of the second optical filter assembly, to convey
modulated optical signals to second connector 150 in response to an
electrical signal input, which may be preset or controlled
remotely, for example via a combination of network 146 and computer
terminal 145. In one example, second optical filter assembly 224B
may include a heat source in which heat is transferred from the
heat source to a filter, or other appropriate component of the
second optical filter assembly, of the second optical filter
assembly via modulation in response to the electrical signal input
to the second optical filter assembly in order to alter the state
of the filter. In this manner, second optical filter assembly 224B
may convey optical signals at either one or both of a different
frequency and a different intensity than when the heat is not
applied or is applied at a different rate or quantity. In another
example, second optical filter assembly 224B may include an
electromechanical vibratory actuator attached to a filter of the
second optical filter such that the actuator vibrates the filter,
or other appropriate component of the second optical filter
assembly, via modulation in response to the electrical signal input
to the second optical filter in order to alter the state of the
filter. In this manner, second optical filter assembly 224B may
convey optical signals at either one or both of a different
frequency and a different intensity than when the vibration is not
applied to the second optical filter assembly or is applied at a
different frequency or different amplitude.
[0101] In the example of FIG. 2, second optical connection
identification assembly 202 is the same as first optical connection
identification assembly 201 with the exception that assembly 202
includes first optical filter 224A in place of second optical
filter assembly 224B and further includes optical signal detection
circuit 230. Optical signals conveyed from first connector 110 of
second optical connection identification assembly 202 as well as
optical signals conveyed from second optical filter assembly 224B
of first optical connection identification assembly 201 via second
connector 150 of the first optical connection identification
assembly may be received simultaneously or separately by first
photodiode 226A of the second optical connection identification
assembly. Detection circuit 230 is electrically connected, such as
by electrical wire or other electrical connections known to those
skilled in the art, to first photodiode 226A of second optical
connection identification assembly 202. In some arrangements,
detection circuit 230 may be configured to interpret the different
one or both of the frequencies and amplitudes of optical signals
conveyed from first connector 110 of second optical connection
identification assembly 202 and optical signals conveyed from
second optical filter assembly 224B of first optical connection
identification assembly 201. Detection circuit 230 may then
communicate with network 146 or another network to alert a remote
terminal that optical connection identification assemblies 201, 202
are optically connected as well as simultaneously or separately
alert the remote terminal that optical signals are being received,
and thus power is being received, within the second optical
connection assembly 202 from optical fibers 112A, 112B connected to
one of connectors 110, 150 of second optical connection assembly
202 which is separate from optical signals conveyed along
intermediate optical fiber 203 that are also received by the second
optical connection assembly. In some arrangements, detection
circuit 230 may form part or all of a microcontroller, such as
microcontroller 140, while in some other arrangements, detection
circuit 230 may be electrically connected to a separate
microcontroller that communicates with network 146 or another
network to provide information on the cable and assembly
connectivity of optical connection identification system 200.
[0102] In another example as further shown in FIG. 2, first optical
connection identification assembly 201 may further include light
source 227 which may be used in conjunction with second optical
filter assembly 224B or in conjunction with a further first optical
filter 224A, without filter altering modulation capability, that
may be used in place of the second optical filter assembly. Light
source 227 may be located within or adjacent to power monitoring
section 222A such that the light source conveys optical signals to
first optical fiber 112A which are then conveyed to second optical
connection identification assembly 202 via intermediate optical
fiber 203 along with the optical signals separately conveyed from
the optical filter, whether second optical filter assembly 224B or
the further first optical filter 224A, that conveys optical signals
to second connector 150 of first optical connection identification
assembly 201. The optical signals conveyed from light source 227
may have a different wavelength than the optical signals conveyed
from the optical filter that conveys optical signals to second
connector 150. In this manner, optical signals conveyed from light
source 227 may be conveyed along with other optical signals
conveyed along intermediate optical fiber 203 as described
previously herein via wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM). In
this example, a microcontroller, such as microcontroller 140 may
manage input signals that control the optical signals emitted from
light source 227.
[0103] Referring now to FIG. 3, optical connection identification
assembly 301 is the same or substantially the same as second
optical connection identification assembly 202 with the exception
that optical connection identification assembly 301 includes a
single module in place of the first and second modules of optical
connection identification assembly 202. As such, optical connection
identification assembly 301 includes first base 323, in place of
first and second bases 223A, 223B, first optical filter assembly
324 attached to the first base in place of the plurality of optical
filters 224A, and first and second photodiodes 326A, 326B attached
to the first base in place of first and second photodiodes 226A,
226B. First optical filter assembly 324 may be configured such that
optical signals may be conveyed from the first optical filter
assembly to both first and second photodiodes 326A, 326B, such as
by deflecting a light beam at different angles or paths. In this
manner, optical connection identification assembly 301 functions in
the same manner as second optical connection identification
assembly 202. Like second optical connection identification
assembly 202, in some arrangements, photodiodes 326A, 326B of
optical connection identification assembly 301 may be electrically
connected to a detection circuit, for example detection circuit
230, and in some arrangements, may be connected to another optical
connection identification assembly. In some arrangements, lenses of
long optical filters like first optical filter assembly 324 may be
modulated like second optical filter assembly 224B of first optical
connection identification assembly 201.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 4, optical connection identification
assembly 401 is the same or substantially the same as second
optical connection identification assembly 202 with the notable
exceptions that first and second modules of optical connection
identification assembly 401 exclude optical filters and include
optical filter module 424 in place of the plurality of optical
filters 224A. Optical filter module 424 is aligned with first and
second connectors 110, 150 such that the optical filter module
allows portions of optical signals to pass through the module and
between the first and the second connectors. In some arrangements,
module 424 further includes a pair of beam splitters (see FIGS.
8A-8C) such that remaining portions of optical signals received in
the module from first connector 110 are reflected to second
photodiode 426B of optical connection identification assembly 401
and remaining portions of optical signals received in the module
from second connector 150 are reflected to first photodiode 426A of
the optical connection identification assembly. In some other
arrangements, module 424 may be a fused fiber module in which small
portions of the optical signals conveyed from connector 110, 150
may be directed along optical fibers through module 424 such that
the signals conveyed from connector 110 are directed to second
photodiode 426B and the signals conveyed from connector 150 are
directed to first photodiode 426A. In this manner, reflection of
light to the photodiode to which the light is not directed may be
substantially avoided.
[0105] As shown in FIG. 5, optical connection identification
assembly 501 is the same or substantially the same as optical
connection identification assembly 401 with the exception that
first photodiode 426A and second photodiode 426B of optical
connection identification assembly 401 are mounted onto separate
bases whereas photodiodes 526A, 526B of optical connection
identification assembly 501, which are the same or substantially
the same as photodiodes 426A, 426B, are mounted on the same base
523.
[0106] Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, optical connection
identification system 600 includes a plurality, in the example
shown a pair, of optical connection identification assemblies 601
optically connected by intermediate optical fiber 203. The optical
connection identification assemblies 601 are the same as or
substantially the same as second optical connection identification
assembly 202 of optical connection identification system 200 with
the notable exceptions that the first modules of each of assemblies
601 further include beam splitter 632A between first connector 110
and optical filter 224A of the first module and third photodiode
626C adjacent to beam splitter 632A and the second modules of each
of assemblies 601 further include beam splitter 632B between second
connector 150 and optical filter 224A of the second module and
light source 627, which may be an LED controlled remotely such as
through a network, adjacent to beam splitter 632B. In this manner,
optical signals conveyed from light source 627 may be split by beam
splitter 632B such that portions of the optical signals conveyed
from the light source are conveyed from beam splitter 632B to third
photodiode 626C via beam splitter 632A of the same optical
connection identification assembly and other portions of the
optical signals conveyed from the light source are conveyed from
beam splitter 632B to third photodiode 626C of another optical
connection identification assembly via second connector 150. As
such, third photodiode 626C of each optical connection
identification assembly 601 may receive optical signals from light
source 627 of its own optical connection identification assembly as
well as optical signals from light source 627 of a directly
adjacent optical connection identification assembly. Upon receipt
of such signals, third photodiode 626C may transmit an electrical
signal to indicate that the adjacent optical connection
identification assemblies 601 are in optical communication. As with
other arrangements described previously herein, first and second
photodiodes 626A, 626B may receive portions of optical signals from
first and second connectors 110, 150, respectively, which the
photodiodes may convert to electrical signals to provide a power
monitoring system.
[0107] As shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the combinations of optical
filter 224A and each of beam splitters 632A, 632B may each include
fiber support 633, collimation lens 634 directly adjacent to the
fiber support, beam splitter 632A, 632B directly adjacent to the
collimation lens, tap filter 635 directly adjacent to the beam
splitter, and focusing lens 636 directly adjacent to the tap
filter. In some arrangements, tap filter 635 may allow 0.5 to 10%
of light received by the tap filter to pass through the tap filter
to focusing lens 636 and then to respective first and second
photodiodes 226A, 226B.
[0108] In an alternative arrangement to one or both of optical
connection identification assemblies 601, as shown in FIG. 7, the
first and second modules of assembly 601 may be replaced with a
single integrated module that includes fiber support 633,
collimation lens 634 directly adjacent to the fiber support, first
beam splitter 632A directly adjacent to the collimation lens,
second beam splitter 632B directly adjacent to beam splitter 632A,
tap filter 635 directly adjacent to beam splitter 632B, and
focusing lens 636 directly adjacent to the tap filter. In this
arrangement, first photodiode 726A is directly adjacent to beam
splitter 632A and second photodiode 726B is directly adjacent to
beam splitter 632B and to first photodiode 726A.
[0109] Referring now to FIG. 8A, optical connection identification
system 800 includes a plurality, in the example shown a pair, of
optical connection identification assemblies 801A, 801B optically
connected by intermediate optical fiber 203. Each optical
connection identification assembly 801A, 801B is the same or
substantially the same as optical connection identification
assembly 401 with the notable exceptions that each optical
connection identification assembly further includes third
photodiode 826A and first light source 827A directly adjacent to
and on opposite sides of first beam splitter 832A as well as fourth
photodiode 826B and second light source 827B directly adjacent to
and on opposite sides of second beam splitter 832B. In this manner,
as shown by the arrow in the schematic of FIG. 8A, optical signals
emitted from second light source 827B of optical connection
identification assembly 801A are received by fourth photodiode 826B
of optical connection identification assembly 801B via intermediate
optical fiber 203. Upon receiving such optical signals, fourth
photodiode 826B of optical connection identification assembly 801B
sends an electrical signal, such as to a network connected to a
terminal, to indicate optical connectivity between optical
connection identification assemblies 801A, 801B. Similarly, optical
signals emitted from first light source 827A of optical connection
identification assembly 801B may be received by third photodiode
826A of optical connection identification assembly 801A, optical
signals emitted from first light source 827A of optical connection
identification assembly 801A may be received by third photodiode
826A of another optical connection identification assembly (not
shown), and optical signals emitted from second light source 827B
of optical connection identification assembly 801B may be received
by fourth photodiode 826B of yet another optical connection
identification assembly (not shown) to indicate connectivity
between respective directly adjacent optical connection
identification assemblies of optical connection identification
system 800.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 8B, the optical filter module of each of
optical connection identification assemblies 801A, 801B may each
include first fiber support 833A, first collimation lens 834A
directly adjacent to the first fiber support, first tap filter 835A
directly adjacent to the first collimation lens, first beam
splitter 832A directly adjacent to the first tap filter, second
beam splitter 832B directly adjacent to the first beam splitter,
second tap filter 835B directly adjacent to the second beam
splitter 832B, second collimation lens 834B directly adjacent to
the second tap filter, and second fiber support 833B directly
adjacent to the second collimation lens.
[0111] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, optical connection
identification assembly 901, which may be but is not limited to
being any one of optical connection identification assemblies 201,
202, 301, 401, 501, 601, 801A, 801B, may be used in an intelligent
optical connection identification system 900, which may be in the
form of a fiber optic network, in process 900A. At step 960 of
process 900A, a connector on one end of fiber optic cable 912A is
plugged into existing optical connection identification system 900.
At step 965, a connector on an opposite end of fiber optic cable
912A is plugged into optical connection identification assembly
901, thereby registering the optical connection identification
assembly 901 to the optical connection identification system 900.
At step 970, a connector on one end of fiber optic cable 912B is
plugged into a port of optical connection identification assembly
901. At step 971, a technician or other operator, digitally inputs
into a database associated with optical connection identification
system 900 identifying information associated with fiber optic
cable 912B and its associated connector plugged into optical
connection identification assembly 901. As a result, the database
associated with optical connection identification system 900 is
updated to associate the port of optical connection identification
system 900 into which the connector on the end of fiber optic cable
912B is inserted with the cable and its associated connector.
[0112] At step 980, information relating to any one or all of the
optical connection identification assemblies and their associated
ports within optical connection identification system 900 is
received via digital cloud network 946 and software then analyzes
the information to determine cable, which may be but is not limited
to being fiber optic cable and electrical wire, connectivity at the
ports of any individual optical connection identification assembly
as well as connectivity between ports of different optical
connection identification assemblies. Connectivity at ports may be
determined using connector engagement sensing mechanisms disclosed
in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2017/0003459 A1 and
2018/06410 A1 in which data from such connectivity or lack thereof
may be sent from a microcontroller, such as microcontroller (.mu.C)
140, to terminal 945 via network 946. Connectivity between ports of
different optical connection identification assemblies may be
determined using light source and photodiode pairs in optically
connected optical connection identification assemblies in the
manner described previously herein, such as with respect to optical
connection identification system 200, 600, 800. In some
arrangements, artificial intelligence may be used in conjunction
with the software to make assumptions as to the connectivity of the
cables within optical connection identification system 900 in order
to compensate for possible operator errors in the entry of
information associated with the cables by making guesses as to
cable connectivity based on available information. At step 981, the
software creates or updates a cable connectivity map based on the
determined cable connectivity at ports of individual optical
connection identification assemblies and between the optical
connection identification assemblies. As shown in FIG. 10, a
virtual version 947 of cable connectivity map may be viewed at
terminal 945, which may be located at a central office. Based on
this information, a determination may be made as to where
additional cable connections may be made or where repairs may be
needed within optical connection identification system 900.
[0113] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, intelligent optical fiber
termination system 1000 includes enclosure 1099, optical
termination assembly 1001 including various operational sensing
mechanisms, other operational sensing mechanism 1060 (see FIGS. 17
and 19), at least one sensory indication unit 1055 (see FIGS. 16A
and 16B), at least one operational change unit 1070 (see FIGS. 17
and 19) and main controller 1040. Optical termination assembly 1001
is attached to and enclosed by enclosure 1099 and includes a
plurality of input optical fiber cables 1012A, a plurality of
output optical fiber cables 1012B, a plurality of adapters 1015
having opposing receptacles for receiving connectors 1005 of
corresponding ones of the input and output optical fiber cables in
which corresponding sets of the input optical fiber cables, the
output optical fiber cables, and the adapters are aligned in a
multi-tier fashion, as further described in U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/855,470, filed May 31, 2019, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0114] Optical termination assembly 1001 may include a connector
engagement sensing mechanism such as one or more of those described
in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2017/0003459 A1 ("the
'459 Publication") and 2018/0136410 A1 (the '410 Publication) and
further discussed above. As shown by the example connector
assemblies of FIGS. 13A and 13B, force or displacement sensor 1030A
may be attached to housing 1035A of one respective connector 1005A
of either one or both of input and the output optical fiber cables
1012A, 1012B and may be configured for contact with adapter 1015A
or such force or displacement sensor may be attached to adapter
1015B and configured for contact with a portion of housing 1035B,
e.g., a projection of the housing, of one respective connector
1005B, the combination of the sensor and the housing or the adapter
being in the form of insertion sensing mechanism 1081 (see FIGS. 17
and 19). As shown by the example connector assembly of FIG. 14,
force or displacement sensor 1030B further may be attached to
adapter 1015C such that the sensor interacts with a rear of housing
1035C of one respective connector 1005C of either one or both of
the input and output optical fiber cables. Other configurations of
sensors on housings of respective connectors or on adapters as
further described in the '459 and the'410 Publications are also
encompassed by the technology described herein. When a force is
applied to sensor 1030A, 1030B when the sensor acts as a force
sensor or the sensor is displaced when the sensor acts as a
displacement sensor, the sensor may change states such that the
sensor may convey electrical signals or stop conveying electrical
signals being conveyed via main controller 1040 shown in FIG. 12,
in which such electrical signals correspond to an optical fiber
insertion status of optical fiber cables 1012A, 1012B having a
corresponding sensor. In such manner, the insertion of respective
connectors 1005A, 1005B, 1005C of either one or both of input and
output optical fiber cables 1012A, 1012B (or variation thereof)
into adapter 1015A, 1015B, 1015C may be detected.
[0115] In some other arrangements, as shown by the example
connector assembly of FIG. 15 and as further described in the '459
and the '410 Publications, force or displacement sensor 1030C may
be attached between housing 1035D and ferrule 1036A (which as shown
may be an outer ferrule of a two-part ferrule for an optical fiber)
of respective connector 1005D of either one or both of the input
and the output optical fiber cables in the form of end contact
sensing mechanism 1082 (see FIGS. 17 and 19). In this manner,
contact of an end of either one of the opposing input and output
optical fiber cables with an end of the other of the input and the
output cables may be detected so as to ascertain an end contact
status of the end of the optical fiber cable having corresponding
sensor 1030C. In the example of FIG. 15, when the connectors of the
opposing input and output optical fiber cables are properly aligned
by adapter 1015D, an abutment of ferrules 1036A, 1036B (which as
shown may be an abutment of inner ferrules of the two-part ferrules
for the opposing optical fibers) translatable within respective
housings 1035D, 1035E of connectors 1005D, 1005E of the input and
the output optical fiber cables is ascertained. When a force is
applied to sensor 1030C when the sensor acts as a force sensor or
the sensor is displaced when the sensor acts as a displacement
sensor, the sensor may change states such that the sensor may
convey electrical signals or stop conveying electrical signals
being conveyed via main controller 1040 shown in FIG. 12, in which
such electrical signals correspond to an end contact status of ends
of optical fiber cables having a corresponding sensor. In such
manner, the abutment of ends of respective connectors 1005D, 1005E
of the input and output optical fiber cables with other objects,
e.g., the abutment of opposing ferrules 1036A, 1036B, may be
detected.
[0116] Still referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, optical termination
assembly 1001 may include one or more optical fiber signal
conveyance sensing mechanisms 1083 (see FIGS. 17 and 19). Such
mechanisms 1083 may be in the form of one or more optical
connection identification systems, which in some arrangements may
be in the form of optical connection identification system 200,
600, 800 or similar system utilizing one or more optical connection
identification assemblies 201, 202, 301, 401, 501, 601, 801A, 801B.
In this manner, conveyance of optical signals to or from, i.e.,
through, either one or both of any opposing input optical fiber
cable 1012A or output optical fiber cable 1012B associated with an
optical connection identification system may be detected, in the
manner described previously herein, so as to ascertain an optical
fiber conveyance status. In the example of FIGS. 11 and 12, input
optical signals conveyed to input optical fibers 1012A are first
received by respective photodiodes 1A, 2A, 3A from respective
additional optical fibers 1014A, 1014B, 1014C in which a portion of
the input optical signals conveyed to the input optical fibers are
conveyed from photodiodes 1A, 2A, 3A by jumper optical fibers
1013A, 1013B, 1013C and received by respective photodiodes 1B, 2B,
3B and then the input optical signals are conveyed to the
connectors of the input optical fiber cables and output optical
fiber cables 1012B and adapters 1015A, 1015B, 1015C aligning the
optical fibers of the input and output optical fiber cables.
Conversely, in this example, output optical signals conveyed to
input optical fibers 1012A via output optical fibers 1012B
corresponding to respective input optical fibers are received by
respective photodiodes 1B, 2B, 3B in which a portion of the output
optical signals conveyed from the input and output optical fibers
are conveyed by jumper optical fibers 1013A, 1013B, 1013C and
received by respective photodiodes 1A, 2A, 3A, and then the output
optical signals are conveyed along additional optical fibers 1014A,
1014B, 1014C to a receiving unit, such as administrator remote
interface 1091 described further herein with respect to FIG. 18,
external to intelligent optical fiber termination system 1000.
[0117] As best shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, sensory indication unit
1055 is rotatably attached to enclosure 1099 such that the unit
when in an open position exposes input optical fiber cables 1012A
and when in a closed position covers the input optical fiber
cables. Sensory indication unit 1055 is in electrical communication
with optical fiber signal conveyance sensing mechanism 1083 just
described and, as in the example shown, may include a set of
light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 1057 associated with optical
connection identification system 201, 202, 301, 401, 501, 601,
801A, 801B that may be configured to illuminate to indicate either
that optical signals are not being received by associated
photodiodes 1A, 2A, 3A, 1B, 2B, 3B, or more preferably that optical
signals are being received by the associated photodiodes. While
sensory indication unit 1055 is a visual indicator, in alternative
arrangements, the sensory indication unit may be auditory, e.g., a
speaker, or tactile, e.g., movable surface that raises to provide
an alert such as for blind persons. A plurality of sensory
indication units 1055 may be employed in an intelligent optical
fiber termination system in accordance with the technology. As in
the example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, sensory indication unit 1055
may be in electrical communication with optical fiber signal
conveyance sensing mechanism 1083 via main controller 1040.
[0118] As shown in the schematic of FIG. 17, sensory indication
unit 1055 in accordance with the technology may be in electrical
communication with an associated sensing mechanism, e.g., insertion
sensing mechanism 1081, optical fiber signal conveyance sensing
mechanism 1083, end contact sensing mechanism 1084 described above
or another operational sensing mechanism 1060 as described below,
via an optional device interface integrated circuit (IC) 1087 in
electrical communication with assembly CPU 1040A, e.g.,
microcontroller 1040. With further reference to FIG. 17,
operational change units that operate to alter the operational
status of components of intelligent optical fiber termination
system 1000 or the system as a whole are directed by assembly CPU
1040A and are in electrical communication with the associated
sensing mechanisms via the assembly CPU and optionally via device
interface IC 1087, as shown.
[0119] Still referring to FIG. 17, assembly CPU 1040A may be in
electrical communication with communication device such that the
assembly CPU may receive instructions from or provide data to an
external source, such as administrator remote interface 1091
described further herein. Communication device 1090 may be a
wireless router enclosed in intelligent optical fiber termination
system 1000 as shown in FIG. 12. In particular, communication
device 1090 may be wirelessly connected to cloud network 1095, such
as the Internet of Things (IoT) or connected by wire or wirelessly
such as via Bluetooth.RTM. wireless technology to a peripheral
local communication device 1092, e.g. a programmable logic
controller (PLC) used by a technician.
[0120] As further shown in FIG. 17, assembly CPU 1040A may be in
electrical communication with memory 1040B housed within enclosure
1099 of intelligent optical fiber termination system 1000 or be in
communication with such memory located at a remote location via
communication device 1090. In some arrangements, such as in the
example of main controller 1040 shown in FIG. 12 and of
microcontroller (.mu.C) 2040 shown in FIG. 19, assembly CPU 1040A
and memory 1040B may be parts of a microcontroller. Memory may
include read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM) and,
as needed, secondary memory such as found on hard disk drives,
universal serial bus (USD) drives, and other data writable memory
to which data may be stored. As shown, memory 1040B may include but
is not limited to including data associated with output
instructions 1041, reference values 1042, default settings 1043,
optical termination assembly status 1044, and other operational
status 1045 corresponding to electrical signals conveyed to or
from, whether directly or indirectly, assembly CPU 1040A.
[0121] Data associated with optical termination assembly status
1044 may include data corresponding to optical fiber insertion
status, optical fiber conveyance status, and optical fiber end
contact status. Such data may result from a comparison of preset
reference values against associated status values conveyed via
electrical signals from insertion sensing mechanisms 1081, end
contact sensing mechanisms 1082, optical fiber signal conveyance
sensing mechanisms 1083. Such data further may correspond to a last
determined status at a particular instant in time or over a time
interval and may include historical data of such statuses taken at
predetermined periods. A logic controller within assembly CPU 1040A
or a remote CPU (not shown) conducts a comparison between the
obtained status values and reference values stored in memory.
[0122] Data associated with other operational status may include
data corresponding to an operational status. Such data may result
from a comparison of preset reference values against associated
status values conveyed via electrical signals from one or more
operational sensing mechanisms 1060 such as those described further
herein. Such data further may correspond to a last determined
status at a particular instant in time or over a time interval and
may include historical data of such statuses taken at predetermined
periods. The logic controller within assembly CPU 1040A or a remote
CPU conducts the comparison between the obtained status values and
reference values stored in memory.
[0123] Based on one or more of the determined optical fiber
insertion status, optical fiber conveyance status, optical fiber
end contact status, and operational status, the logic controller
may convey electrical signals associated with output instructions
1041 stored in memory 1040B and corresponding to the one or more of
the determined optical fiber insertion status, optical fiber
conveyance status, optical fiber end contact status, and
operational status that direct the operation of operational change
units 1070 described further herein. In some instances, one or more
default settings 1043 are stored in memory 1040B such that a
determined optical fiber insertion status, optical fiber conveyance
status, optical fiber end contact status, or operational status may
be ignored and a default setting may be conveyed by the logic
controller as output instructions 1041 in place of output
instructions corresponding to the one or more of the determined
optical fiber insertion status, optical fiber conveyance status,
optical fiber end contact status, and operational status.
[0124] In some arrangements, a combination of assembly CPU 1040A
and memory 1040B may be configured for machine learning in which
such machine learning may be conducted over communication device
1090 and a network such as a cloud network 1095 when the assembly
CPU and the memory are in communication via the communication
device and a network. In such arrangements, such combination may be
configured to effect a change to at least one of the reference
values 1042 associated with the optical fiber insertion status, the
optical fiber conveyance status, the optical fiber end contact
status, and the operational status. In some such arrangements, the
combination may be configured to effect the change based on an
accumulated set or an entirety of a plurality of determined
statuses of any one or any combination of the optical fiber
insertion status, the optical fiber conveyance status, the optical
fiber end contact status, and the other operational status stored
by memory 1040B. In some arrangements, the combination of assembly
CPU 1040A and memory 1040B may be programmed to actively effect the
changes to reference values 1042 such that the changes are made
without human intervention. The combination of assembly CPU 1040A
and memory 1040B may initiate these changes, for example, when an
average of the determined status over a period of time based on
data from a sensing mechanism of intelligent optical fiber
termination system 1000 changes. In one particular example, a
determined status from optical fiber signal conveyance sensing
mechanism 1083 may indicate that optical signals are not being
conveyed between opposing optical fibers, i.e., no optical power is
being utilized, during a certain period of time, e.g., the early
morning hours, such that there is no need to check for connectivity
of optical fiber cables and a default instruction thus may be sent
to assembly CPU 1040A to not perform any analysis, thus saving
system power. In another example, a determined status from optical
fiber signal conveyance sensing mechanism 1083 may indicate that
optical signals are being conveyed between opposing optical fibers,
i.e., optical power is being utilized, during a certain period of
time, e.g., during late morning hours, such that there may be no
need to utilize either one of insertion sensing mechanism 1081 or
end contact sensing mechanism 1082 to determine connector
engagement as a lack of connector engagement would be determined
when a loss of optical power occurred according to data from the
optical fiber signal conveyance sensing mechanism.
[0125] Referring now to FIG. 18, network 1110 includes intelligent
panel monitoring and control system 1001, intelligent panel
analysis system 1002, system authentication and authorization
interface 1097, plug-in cloud network 1095, administrator remote
interface 1091, and local interface 1092. Intelligent panel
monitoring and control system 1001 and intelligent panel analysis
system 1002, which together may form a substantial portion of
intelligent optical fiber termination system 1000. In one example,
intelligent panel monitoring and control system 1001 may include
sensing mechanisms including insertion sensing mechanism 1081,
optical fiber signal conveyance sensing mechanism 1083, end contact
sensing mechanism 1082 described above or another operational
sensing mechanism 1060 described below, sensory indication units
1055, and operational change units 1070. Intelligent panel analysis
system 1002 may include assembly CPU 1040A and memory 1040B in the
form of microcontroller 1040, 2040 and further include
communication device 1090 configured for interfacing with plug-in
cloud network 1095 over an ISP, e.g., an NB-IoT provided by Verizon
Communications. In the example shown, plug-in cloud network 1095 is
Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud computing network owned by
Amazon.com, in which the microcontroller 1040, 2040 includes AWS
IoT Greengrass framework to allow provide for localized control of
and machine learning by the microcontroller and system while
remaining on plug-in cloud network. As in the example shown,
administrator remote interface 1091 may be a central office of an
ISP and local interface 1092 may be a peripheral local
communication device such as local communication device 1092.
[0126] Using an application programming interfaces (APIs), e.g., a
representational state transfer (REST) API, administrator remote
interface 1091 and local interface 1092 may communicate with
plug-in cloud network 1095. In this manner, upon accessing plug-in
cloud network 1095 via system authentication and authorization
interface 1097, intelligent panel analysis system 1002 interfaces
with plug-in cloud network 1095 such that data, e.g., data
corresponding to optical fiber insertion status, optical fiber
conveyance status, optical fiber end contact status, and
operational status, and instructions, e.g., output instructions
1041, may be conveyed bi-directionally via plug-in cloud network
1095. In such configuration, machine learning may be conducted over
plug-in cloud network 1095 in which logic control, e.g., data
analysis and decision-making, may be handled remotely at
administrator remote interface 1091 and instructions based on such
machine learning carried out via the combination of intelligent
panel monitoring and control system 1001 and intelligent panel
analysis system 1002.
[0127] Referring now to an example system in FIG. 19, intelligent
optical fiber termination system 1000 may include one or more
operational sensing mechanisms 1060 and operational change units
1070. Any such operational sensing mechanism 1060 may be one of
optical fiber insertion sensing mechanism 1081, optical fiber
signal conveyance sensing mechanism 1083, and end contact sensing
mechanism 1082 or a different sensing mechanism. In some
arrangements, the operational sensing mechanism, may be a device
such as environmental sensor 1060AA, 1060AB, position sensor 1060B,
accelerometer 1060C, door closure sensor 1060D, microphone 1060E,
liquid presence sensor 1060F, enclosure presence sensor 1060G, and
magneto 1060H. In various arrangements, the operational change
units, as shown in FIG. 17, may be any one of speaker 1070A ,
optical switch assembly 1070B, cooling device 1070C, and heating
device 1070D, as shown in FIG. 19.
[0128] The environmental sensor may be but is not limited to being
temperature sensor 1060AA, e.g., a thermocouple, configured to
ascertain a temperature of or within enclosure or other components
of intelligent optical fiber termination system 1000 or humidity
sensor 1060AB configured to ascertain a humidity within enclosure
1099. In this example, environmental sensor 1060AA, 1060AB conveys
electrical signals to microcontroller 2040 having a combination of
a CPU and memory. When microcontroller 1040 determines that either
one or both of the temperature and humidity of at least a portion
of the intelligent optical fiber termination system, e.g.,
intelligent optical fiber termination system 1000, is outside of
associated reference values 1042, microcontroller directs cooling
device 1070C or heating device 1070D to activate and attempt to
regulate the one or both of the temperature and the humidity.
[0129] Position sensor 1060B, e.g., a global positioning system
(GPS), may provide a location of enclosure 1099 or other components
of intelligent optical fiber termination system 1000. In this
manner, when intelligent optical fiber termination system 1000 is
moved to another location, microcontroller 2040 will communicate
via communication device 1090 to a remote location, e.g.,
administrator remote interface 1091, to alert such location to the
move of intelligent optical fiber termination system 1000. As shown
in FIG. 19, GPS 1060B may be an add-on operational sensing
mechanism that may be plugged into communication module 1098 in
electrical communication with microcontroller 2040.
[0130] Accelerometer 1060C may be a piezoelectric or more
preferably a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) based
accelerometer known to those skilled in the art. In some
arrangements, accelerometer 1060C may be configured to detect a
vibration level or changes in orientation of portions of
intelligent optical fiber termination system 1000 such as enclosure
1099 or other components within the enclosure. For example,
accelerometer 1060C may detect a ball striking enclosure and send
an electrical signal to microcontroller 2040. If such ball strike
causes vibration greater than a reference value stored in
microcontroller 2040, then the microcontroller will communicate via
communication device 1090 to a remote location, e.g., administrator
remote interface 1091, to alert such location as to possible damage
to intelligent optical fiber termination system 1000 needing
repair.
[0131] Door closure sensor 1060D, which may be in the form of a
force or displacement sensor, may detect the position of a door of
enclosure 1099, e.g., to determine if the door is closed. If the
door is detected to be in an open state, door closure sensor 1060D
may send an electrical signal to microcontroller 2040 which will
then communicate via communication device 1090 to a remote
location, e.g., administrator remote interface 1091, to alert such
location that the door is open. In such example, if no technician
is known to be present at the site of intelligent optical fiber
termination system 1000, then administrator remote interface 1091
may send a technician to inspect the system and close the door of
enclosure 1099 if no further issues are found.
[0132] Microphone 1060E may detect the sound pressure level and
frequency of sounds within enclosure 1099 and send electrical
signals corresponding to such sounds to microcontroller 2040. When
a sound detected by microphone 1060E is determined by
microcontroller 2040 to be above reference value 1042 associated
with the microphone, the microcontroller then may communicate via
communication device 1090 to a remote location, e.g., administrator
remote interface 1091, to alert such location as to the detected
sound. In such example, if no technician is known to be present at
the site of intelligent optical fiber termination system 1000, then
administrator remote interface 1091 may send a technician to
inspect the system to be sure no damage has been caused to the
system. In some arrangements, as in the example shown in FIG. 19,
when a sound detected by microphone 1060E is determined to be above
reference value 1042 associated with the microphone,
microcontroller 2040 then may send electrical signals to speaker
1070A to direct the speaker to issue a loud sound. Such sounds may
be effective to remove animals or other living creatures from
enclosure 1099.
[0133] Liquid presence sensor 1060A, which may be formed of
electrodes for which only completely pure water completes a circuit
with the electrodes, may detect the presence of liquids including
rainwater that may have intruded into enclosure 1099. When a liquid
level detected by liquid presence sensor 1060A corresponding to
electrical signals from the sensor to microcontroller 2040 is
determined by the microcontroller to be above reference value 1042
associated with the liquid presence sensor, microcontroller 2040
then may communicate via communication device 1090 to a remote
location, e.g., administrator remote interface 1091, to alert such
location as to the detected liquid. In such example, if no
technician is known to be present at the site of intelligent
optical fiber termination system 1000, then administrator remote
interface 1091 may send a technician to inspect the system to
remove the liquid, ensure no damage has been caused to the system,
and as necessary appropriately seal the system.
[0134] Enclosure presence sensor 1060G, which may be in the form of
a force or displacement sensor, may detect whether enclosure 1099,
and thus intelligent optical fiber termination system 1000, has
been removed or detached from a predetermined position, such as a
telephone pole or side of a building. When a lack of presence
detected by enclosure presence sensor 1060G is determined by
microcontroller 2040 based on data from electrical signals conveyed
by the sensor, microcontroller then may communicate via
communication device 1090 to a remote location, e.g., administrator
remote interface 1091, to alert such location as to the detected
lack of presence of enclosure 1099. In such example, if no
technician is known to be present at the site of intelligent
optical fiber termination system 1000, then administrator remote
interface 1091 may send a technician to inspect the system to be
sure the intelligent optical fiber termination system is still
present and that no damage has been caused to the system.
[0135] As further shown in FIG. 19, an intelligent optical fiber
termination system such as intelligent optical fiber termination
system 1000 may include additional components, including optical
switch assembly 1070B and other add-on devices including microSD
(.mu.SD) card 1070E and NB-IoT device 1070F. Optical switch
assembly 1070B which may be substantially in the form described in
U.S. Patent No. 9,008,484, filed March 28, 2012, the disclosure of
which is incorporated herein in its entirety, may include an arm to
move connectors of optical fiber cables, such as connectors of
input and output optical fiber cables. In this manner, when
insertion sensing mechanism 1081 detects that an associated port of
associated adapter 1015A, 1015B, 1015C, 1015D is open,
microcontroller 2040 may send electrical signals to optical switch
assembly 1070B to insert one connector 1005A, 1005B, 1005C, 1005D,
1005E of one of input and output optical fiber cables 1012A, 1012B
into the open port. Furthermore, when end contact sensing mechanism
1082 detects that an end of an associated connector, e.g., a
ferrule 1036A, 1036B, of one of input and output optical fiber
cables 1012A, 1012B is not in contact with another object,
microcontroller 2040 may send electrical signals to optical switch
assembly 1070B to, for example, fully insert such cable into proper
position. MicroSD card 1070E and NB-IoT device 1070F may be
insertable into communication module 1098 or another communication
module within intelligent optical fiber termination system 1000
that is in electrical communication with microcontroller 2040. In
the example shown, microSD card 1070E provides additional memory
storage and allow for data to be collected from intelligent optical
fiber termination system 1000, and NB-IoT device 1070F operates to
facilitate communication as described above.
[0136] Still referring to FIG. 19, intelligent optical fiber
termination system 1000 may include one or more DC-DC converters
1111 that preferably step down voltage from a utility power or
other power source. In this manner, one or more components
including microcontroller 2040 may be electrically powered via such
a DC-DC converter as known to those skilled in the art.
[0137] It is to be further understood that the disclosure set forth
herein includes any possible combinations of the particular
features set forth above, whether specifically disclosed herein or
not. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the
context of a particular aspect, arrangement, configuration, or
embodiment, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible,
in combination with and/or in the context of other particular
aspects, arrangements, configurations, and embodiments of the
technology, and in the technology generally.
[0138] Furthermore, although the technology herein has been
described with reference to particular features, it is to be
understood that these features are merely illustrative of the
principles and applications of the present technology. It is
therefore to be understood that numerous modifications, including
changes in the sizes of the various features described herein, may
be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements
may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present technology. In this regard, the present technology
encompasses numerous additional features in addition to those
specific features set forth in the claims below. Moreover, the
foregoing disclosure should be taken by way of illustration rather
than by way of limitation as the present technology is defined by
the claims set forth below.
* * * * *